During the week, several Iraqi cities topped the list of the world’s currently hottest places, with temperatures of over 50 degrees. The heat is expected to last throughout the weekend.
As a result of the extreme heat, state employees have been given time off in nine provinces, write local media. High temperatures are not uncommon in Iraq, which is considered one of the hottest places on earth.
– The temperature we see in Iraq right now is very close to the critical limit for what humans can handle when it comes to maintaining a normal body temperature and working outdoors in such temperatures is basically completely impossible, says Petter Ljungman, cardiologist and researcher in environmental medicine, to SVT News.
Strong sandstorms
In addition to the heat, the number of severe sandstorms has also increased during the year. Since mid-April, eight sandstorms have swept across the country, which is more than usual during the summer period. Sand clouds that spread over large areas, blocking the sky and limiting visibility have also caused problems in the infrastructure in several parts of the country.
The extreme weather combined with the heat has also led to regular power outages which, among other things, meant that the Iraqis could not rely on air conditioning, reports BBC.
– In addition to the sandstorms affecting the air and ventilation systems, the desert sand itself is also harmful to health. It will be a double trauma with the heat and the risk of exposing the heart and lungs to danger, says Petter Ljungman.
The United Nations has ranked Iraq as one of the countries in the Middle East most vulnerable to climate change.